Anyone else think the 7" form factor tablet is doomed?

[Pliablemoose]

I'm a fan of the tablet form factor, but I don't see it, I can see 5" because you can jam it in a pocket, I like the 10" because of the screen real estate.

Seems like the 7" is a nowhere land form factor to me, unless they market it to women for carrying in their purse?

 

[Spoooon]

I didn't think the iPad screen was large enough, in my opinion. It either needed to be an extra inch or so larger or needed greater pixel density.

Doesn't seem much point to 7". You'd still need to zoom in on stuff for surfing the web unless you go landscape. Would be good for movies and games I suppose.

 

[Deeko]

I dunno, 7" is still a decent sized screen. A lot more screen real estate than you'll get from a cell phone screen. And its smaller/easier to carry with you than 10".

 

[Young Grasshopper]

how can people say its doomed when there isn't even one out yet?

 

[Deeko]

Because people love to be doomsayers, they love being overly dramatic.

 

[dguy6789]

I think there'll be a market for pretty much every size of tablet.

 

[Pliablemoose]

I dunno, just seems like a size that makes no sense, too small to justify carrying it and a phone, too big for a phone, too small for a good web surfing experience.

Like I said, 7" is purse sized.

 

[Glitchny]

I kinda agree that it is an odd size, but I don't like the iPad form factor particularly and that thing sells like hotcakes so wtf do I know.

 

[akugami]

Depending on design, a phone (or tablet) with a 5" screen will still fit in large pockets though it might not fit in a tight pocket. I think 4.5" is about the largest I'd want in a phone or small tablet device but it is subjective. However, 7" really is an odd size. It's too big for the pockets and yet too small compared to a "normal" screen which would probably be more comfortable at a 10-12" size. There might be a smaller niche market for the 7" tablet device but I really think the 10-12" size makes more sense.

 

[Bateluer]

how can people say its doomed when there isn't even one out yet?

There are several 7in tablet devices out.

 

[pm]

I didn't think the iPad screen was large enough, in my opinion. It either needed to be an extra inch or so larger or needed greater pixel density.

Doesn't seem much point to 7". You'd still need to zoom in on stuff for surfing the web unless you go landscape. Would be good for movies and games I suppose.

As the owner of an iPad, I don't think I'd want anything much smaller. I'm not saying that Apple nailed the size and all tablets need to be 10" diag, but definitely as they go smaller, it starts to feel more and more like a large cell phone. at 9.7" on an iPad, I can read webpages comfortably without zooming, I can fit a lot of text onto an iPad e-reader screen, I can easily share the screen with my wife on vacation and watch a movie... I don't think I'd want anything smaller than the iPad. I definitely wouldn't want to drop to 7", in fact I'd rather go up to an 11" screen than down to a 9". And I also wholeheartedly agree with the comment that the iPad could use higher pixel density though.

 

[Sloper]

Retna Display at 7" is realistic within a year. I hope.

 

[dguy6789]

Retna Display at 7" is realistic within a year. I hope.

There is no such thing as a retina display. Any company that really wanted to could make a 300 pixel per inch 7 inch screen today. Apple uses completely standard run of the mill LCD technology with a buzzword they made up attached. The only reason really high res screens aren't very common right now is due to a lack of demand(everyone except nerds would rather have a large screen than a high res one) and the severe diminishing returns vs cost of implementing them.

 

[kaerflog]

I like the 7" screen.
Big but not too big.
It has the same resolution as all the 10" netbook out there so I don't see what the problem is.
I can see fine at the native resolution without having to zoom.
I wouldn't mind seeing them cram 1366x768 into a 7" screen.

 

[Spoooon]

There is no such thing as a retina display. Any company that really wanted to could make a 300 pixel per inch 7 inch screen today. Apple uses completely standard run of the mill LCD technology with a buzzword they made up attached. The only reason really high res screens aren't very common right now is due to a lack of demand(everyone except nerds would rather have a large screen than a high res one) and the severe diminishing returns vs cost of implementing them.

Yeah, the screen on my Droid may as well be a "retina" display for my aged eyes. Pixels are barely distinguishable for the most part.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

I find carrying around 10" to be a bit combersome at times. You need bigger pants and have to be careful when you sit down. I'd be just as happy and less burdened with 7".

 

[Sloper]

There is no such thing as a retina display. Any company that really wanted to could make a 300 pixel per inch 7 inch screen today. Apple uses completely standard run of the mill LCD technology with a buzzword they made up attached. The only reason really high res screens aren't very common right now is due to a lack of demand(everyone except nerds would rather have a large screen than a high res one) and the severe diminishing returns vs cost of implementing them.

Well I'm sorry then. A 300ppi 7" panel would be ace. It would be impossible for the 10" but the 7" resolution I hope is doable sooner rather than later.

The iPAD looks like shit compared to high res phones. PPI does improve the experience dramatically.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Actually, upon reflection, a purse sized tablet may be a stroke of genius.

Offer it in different colors, and suddenly you have a 3rd device for women...

 

[randomlinh]

I think the iPad is too large. So a 7-8" screen works best for me. I don't plan on pocketing a tablet, so that's not an issue. But I'm always one for saving weight and room in my messenger bag if I have to travel. Otherwise, it's perfect to just leave around the house.

 

[dguy6789]

I like the size of the iPad. I would like it more if it was an inch or two larger but it's pretty nice as is.

 

[s44]

The 6" screen Kindle will last a hell of a lot longer than the 10" screen iPad.

 

[cbn]

http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/06/se-concept-phone-is-as-clever-as-it-is-unreal/

It would be nice if this form factor takes off. Then something 7" or so could be folded up small enough for a pocket.

 

[JJChicken]

For iPad owners: How does it feel to type on an iPad? While using the virtual keyboard on an iPhone/Smart Phone is comfortable enough with 2 thumbs, I'd imagine it would be unergonomic at 10" screen (without putting the tablet down flat on the desk and typing normally - which will make viewing unergonomic).

Perhaps, 7" is more ergonomic in this regard.

I so badly want an iPad quality tablet but with handwriting recognition!!

 

[shortylickens]

If history is any indication, the masses love to buy shit which I dont understand. So I dont analyze the potential for failure, I just let it happen naturally.

See Also: PT Cruiser.

 

[Looney]

I think there'll be a market for it. 10" can be just a tad too big for some ppl to carry and use. If you're using it as an e-book reader for instance, 10" is really not needed, and the reduced weight on 7" would work better. Personally, i'll go with a 5" for a phone and 10" for a pad myself. But i can definitely see a market for 7", especially once prices drops and they're below $200, or even $100.